My Jolt Experience

There are a large number of energy drinks on the market today. I have been researching ways for pipeline shift workers to deal with fatigue. The “Control Room Management” rule will likely be issued in its final form before the end of 2009. This regulation will require pipelines to address human fatigue so that it does not affect pipeline and public safety.

Sometimes attempts to mitigate fatigue cause more serious problems. I was a shift worker who decided to go to college in my off time. One morning, after working from midnight to 8 AM, I went to class. I was fatigued and I had classes from 9 to 12 that day. Jolt Cola was then a new product, with “all the sugar and twice the caffeine.” It definitely woke me up!

It also gave me a case of jitters and nerves that I still remember, after twenty years.  I don’t recommend energy drinks for fatigue mitigation.

Posted October 1st, 2009 in Managing Fatigue

Booster Pumps & Boosters for People – Run to Failure?

A liquids pipeline often uses booster pumps to provide necessary pressure to move product from a tank into a pump on the pipeline.  These booster pumps are generally reliable, but do not last forever.  It is necessary to have a spare booster pump on hand, for when the booster pump in use fails.  Most pipeline operations run the pump to failure and then install the spare.  The pump that failed is then repaired, and becomes the spare.  One can question a maintenance philosophy that runs equipment until it fails, but it is a common philosophy.   A booster pump may run for several years before the motor or other component fails.  The key is to have a spare booster pump always on hand.   A decision one has to make is how many spares to have on hand.   Is one enough, or should they be more? (more…)

Posted July 17th, 2009 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue, Operational Excellence

Continuous Partial Attention – Life of Pipeline Controller

“When we constantly monitor everything while never focusing on anything” is a description of continuous partial attention. Linda Stone, a software executive, is quoted in the book iBrain. I read about the concept somewhere else.  If one reads some job descriptions for pipeline controllers, one will see these phrases:

• Maintain a high level of attention for extended periods of time
• Flawless operation of SCADA system
• Ability to remain focused under highly stressful situations

How does a controller do those things if the concept of continuous partial attention applies in control rooms?  I believe it does apply because control room operators must continuously monitor everything on the display screens.

What is the effect on our brains, and on our performance?  Because we are waiting on an event, planned or unplanned, our brains are stressed.  If an unplanned event(alarm, phone call) occurs at the same time as a planned event, the person has to address the one with the highest priority while still paying attention to the other event.  He or she also has to monitor the rest of the system.

Continuous Partial Attention:  Could it be the precursor to an error or accident?

Posted May 18th, 2009 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue